Aakash Chopra suggested that Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) may make three changes to their team when they face Punjab Kings (PBKS) at the Maharaja Yadvendra Singh International Cricket Stadium in Mullanpur on Sunday, April 19.
First, Chopra counted the pace bowler Mayank Yadav He can replace Avesh Khan and form a seam-bowling troika with Mohammed Shami and Prince Yadav. Avesh has taken five wickets in four matches at an economy rate of 9.07.
“Mayank Yadav is fit and available. You will think about him at least at some level. Maybe this is the time when you want to think about him, that you can play him in place of Avesh. Mohammed Shami and Prince Yadav are doing well, but maybe Mayank Yadav is with them. Start with the pace and see what happens,” Chopra said in a video on his YouTube channel.
The former India opener wondered whether the Lucknow team management would drop Nicholas Pooran from the team, as the wicketkeeper-batsman has scored just 42 runs in five innings in IPL 2026.
He said, “Is it time to turn away from Puran? That is a big question. I am asking this question because he has not scored runs and it does not look like he will score runs. So it does not give you too much confidence.”
Chopra said that South African batsman Matthew Bretzke could be given a chance in place of Puran. The cricketer turned expert also revealed that Himmat Singh can replace Abdul Samad, who has scored only 72 runs in five innings.
“Josh Inglis is not there? Can you think of Bretzke? I know he is a top-order batsman, but this is better than what you have. Can you think of Himmat Singh in place of Abdul Samad? That's another thing you should think about,” Chopra said.
Speaking about Punjab Kings, Chopra said that the undefeated team does not need to make any changes. Shreyas Iyer and Co. have won four out of the five matches played, while one was lost to rain.
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